ONC Head Mostashari to Leave Post in Fall 2013

Farzad Mostashari, M.D., national coordinator for health information technology, has announced he will leave the post this fall. Asked where Mostashari will be going, a spokesperson replied, “He doesn’t know yet.”

Here is a message Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent to colleagues on August 6:

“I am writing to share the news that Dr. Farzad Mostashari has advised me he will be stepping down as National Coordinator for Health Information Technology this fall.

“Farzad has been a leader in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) for the last four years. Farzad joined the office in 2009 as Principal Deputy National Coordinator and took over as the National Coordinator in 2011. During his tenure, ONC has been at the forefront of designing and implementing a number of initiatives to promote the adoption of health IT among health care providers. Farzad has seen through the successful design and implementation of ONC's HITECH programs, which provide health IT training and guidance to communities and providers; linked the meaningful use of electronic health records to population health goals; and laid a strong foundation for increasing the interoperability of health records—all while ensuring the ultimate focus remains on patients and their families. This critical work has not only brought about important improvements in the business of health care, but also has helped providers better coordinate care, which can improve patients’ health while saving money at the same time.

“During this time of great accomplishment, Farzad has been an important advisor to me and many of us across the Department. His expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to innovation and health IT will surely be missed. In the short term, he will continue to serve in this role while a search is underway for a replacement. Please join me in wishing Farzad all the best in his future endeavors.”